Black Caps get one-off chance at history

Playing test cricket in winter is risky enough without bringing other factors into the mix.

That much, at least, was proven in Durban over the last five days, even if we only learned a little about where the land lies between these New Zealand and South African teams.

Just 99.4 overs were possible in the drawn first test at Kingsmead, rain wiping out most of day two and the resulting wet outfield responsible for play not resuming over the next three.

With his side only able to stutter their way to 15-2 in reply to South Africa’s first innings of 263, Black Caps coach Mike Hesson admitted it had been a frustrating experience.

‘‘Let’s make it clear, both teams were very keen to play,’’ he said. ‘‘But we also respect umpires are responsible for ground, weather and light.

‘‘Even from the time we arrived at this test match we knew the outfield was in a poor state. Obviously it just didn’t cope with the rain.’’

The patchy state of the Kingsmead surface had been no secret before the match.

Relaid during the second half of June, the ground was on track to be ready for Durban’s first winter test before flooding and a period of mixed weather meant several sandy patches with little or no grass greeted the teams.

There was no immediate fear for the worst when rain forced the players from the field on Saturday, but when almost 70mm more rain fell overnight, the scene on Sunday morning was not a promising one.

So grim, in fact, it spelt the beginning of a slow, tedious end to the test.

‘‘Both teams will be extremely disappointed,’’ stand-in South African skipper Faf du Plessis said. ‘‘I can tell you from the Proteas camp we were dying to get out there.

‘‘The [umpires] general feeling was the ground was unsafe. Obviously there were a few areas that were a bit muddy and loose underfoot and they were very worried that if you had to sprint or do sudden movements on [those areas] you could get badly injured.

‘‘It’s a difficult call to make. From a captain’s point of view, if one of your strike bowlers runs around the boundary and hurts himself you would be upset.’’

Particularly for du Plessis if that bowler was Dale Steyn.

The veteran quick appeared to have answered the questions surrounding his fitness and form by removing Kiwi openers Tom Latham and Martin Guptill in a typically fiery opening spell before the wet weather came.

Hesson acknowledged they had been challenged during their 12-over stint with the bat, but said that was a good thing and felt his bowlers also learned plenty in a disciplined effort to restrict the hosts to under 300.

Whether enough was gleaned to produce victory in the second and final test starting at Centurion, near Pretoria, on Saturday remains to be seen.

What is certain, though, is the Black Caps will not be lacking motivation to do so.

A win would seal New Zealand’s first test series triumph against South Africa in 15 attempts dating back to 1932.

Hesson said they were well aware what was at stake.

‘‘A one-off test is exciting and the guys are excited . . . there is certainly no lack of context for us.

‘‘When you look at our history, winning a series in South Africa would be a huge achievement for this side.’’